My Style: Dean and Dan Caten
Portrait: Courtesy of Dsquared2
What are your favourite fabrics?
We love all traditional and precious fabrics, but of course we love denim. Denim is a very important element in our brand’s story. We like to think we revolutionised denim in the way it is worn. We worked on fits, washes and colours and created denim that can be paired with an elegant tuxedo jacket. We play with denim and love to mix it with other materials like leather or silk. We want people play with denim and wear it in a new way.
Please describe your style in three words.
Fun, creative, and outgoing! “Born in Canada, Living in London, Made in Italy!” This sums up our brand philosophy. We mix our Canadian origins, sense of humour and irony together with the expertise of Italian tailoring and the attitude of London. We design pieces that embody this fusing of ideas between North America and Europe.
What is the biggest mistake one can make when getting dressed?
You can be dressed in the most elegant jacket in the world but if you don’t feel comfortable with what you are wearing you will look awkward instead of elegant.
Which city has the best-dressed men?
We adore travelling and we are constantly inspired by people from different countries and cities. It is not a question of where you live, but how you feel.
Would you say that you are conservative or bold?
Usually we are brave and unconventional.
What are the rules in the way you dress?
We aren’t afraid to mix casual and formal pieces together! Impeccable Italian tailoring always polishes up a look.
Celebrities and style…
Go together, sometimes...
Name one garment/accessory that you can never have enough of?
Denim! If we could, we would fill our closet with jeans, jeans and more jeans!
A man should always look like…
As if he owns what he wears.
Who taught you what you know about style?
You can’t teach taste and sensibility. Also, you learn a lot from practical experience, trying, and making mistakes.
How do you select your clothing every morning?
Depending on our mood and our agenda!
What is your bigger regret?
We are living the dream we had as kids so we don’t have big regrets!
The three essential things a man should know about style are…
Never be without: jeans, a tailored white shirt and a tuxedo jacket! Personalise your style with the right accessories. Always pick the right fragrances for the occasion and moment!
Do you have any shopping rituals?
Not really.
We will never see you wearing…
Never say never!
What is the first thing you notice on a man?
We notice his sense of style and his personality.
The one image that defined your approach to style…
Our vision in fashion is to create innovative yet wearable clothes for people like us who work, play and party.
The only article of clothing that a man needs to pay close attention to is…
An elegant man must pay attention to all the details.
What are the most treasured items in your wardrobe?
We gave each other the same gold ring with a personal message inscribed right at the beginning of our career.
Is comfort an enemy of style?
Sometimes! Beauty is pain and pain is beauty…
Which designer never fails to impress you?
Our all-time favourite is Azzedine Alaïa!
The best words of advice you have ever heard?
Love what you do and enjoy every second of life!
